Nick Larkin made his first grade debut for Sydney University in 2008 after arriving in the big smoke from Taree just 3 hours north of Sydney.
Prior to the commencement of the 2019/20 season Nick scored 6,424 first grade runs at an average of 38.46 including 17 centuries and 27 half centuries.
He made his first class debut for NSW in October 2014 and at the time of publication has scored 1,773 in 36 first class games for the Blues averaging 29.06 and has hit 3 centuries and 8 half centuries.
Nick has also played 10 one day games for the Blues and 23 T20 games and now plays for the Melbourne Stars
Let’s find out a little more about Nick’s journey
FDC Constructions are one of the proud sponsors of Sydney University Cricket Club
What year you were born?
1990
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
Yes I can. I was 8 years old, playing for Taree West Cricket Club. I could barely hit the ball off the square – so I don’t think I made many runs.
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I grew up in Taree, so played all my junior cricket there with Taree West Cricket Club. I progressed into the senior ranks there before leaving Taree at the end of year 12 and heading to Sydney. I followed my older (and more talented) brother Ben to Sydney University Cricket Club. I just happened to land at a fantastic club which I have never left and we have managed to enjoy an incredibly successful decade or so. I owe a lot to both Taree West Cricket Club and Sydney University Cricket Club.
I also had two really enjoyable seasons playing in Northern Ireland for North Down Cricket Club, just outside of Belfast. Hugely important in my development as a player.
I made my debut for the NSW Sheffield Shield team in 2014. In the BBL I debuted for the Sydney Sixers in 2016 but only played one game for the club. I currently ply my T20 trade for the Melbourne Stars, which has been an incredibly enjoyable couple of seasons.
Nick's raises his arms for his maiden first class century for NSW - 130 v South Australia
What other sports do you play?
I played a lot of tennis, which I loved. I also played a fair bit of soccer (with very little skill) but that was essentially so I could spend more time with my school mates and because I didn’t have the frame for rugby league.
Who is your favourite sports movie or documentary?
Free Solo. A real insight into a ‘best in the world’ athlete in terms of both mindset and preparation.
What’s the one thing about you most people don’t know about?
If you look closely my eyes are different colours.
What’s your highest score in senior cricket?
I made 247 not out for a team called the Northern Knights in the Irish Interprovincial competition in 2013. In Australia it is 246, against Mosman at Allan Border Oval.
What has been your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
Still searching for my first senior wicket in Sydney. Seems further away now that I don’t captain Sydney University anymore… I think I took 2/19 in Darwin in 2016. I played a few games for Tracey Village Cricket Club up there. Both batsman could be considered unlucky that they were hitting to the long boundary.
Can you tell us which players at Sydney University we should be looking out for in terms of higher representative honours?
There is plenty of talent in our ranks. Ryan McElduff. Damien Mortimer. Devlin Malone. Pleasingly, Hayden Kerr broke through into both NSW and Sydney Sixers ranks last season and has much more to give at that level.
Who has been the fastest bowler you have played against so far?
Jofra Archer
Who has been the best spinner you have played against so far?
Steve O’Keefe
Nick batting for the Melbourne Stars in the BBL
Who has been the best batsman you’ve played against?
Steve Smith. Luckily most of his best work is reserved for when he is wearing his baggy green rather than his Sutherland cap.
Who has been the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Brad Haddin
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Ian Moran was always very entertaining and a great connector between the older generation and youth of our team when I was initially entering first grade. I also find Adam Zampa very funny.
Who was your childhood hero?
Mark Waugh for cricket, Pat Rafter for tennis.
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Roger Federer, Alex Honnold. Ash Barty.
Who are the two local players you admire most in terms of skills and competitive spirit?
I’ll interpret ‘local’ as Sydney based…
Greg Mail was number one. Right up there with the most competitive guys I have ever met, incredibly skilful, but always played the game in the correct spirit. Completely set the tone for how we play our cricket in the Sydney University first grade side.
Steve O’Keefe also ranks highly as a super combative and competitive player. I have played with and against him and you know you are in a contest straight away.
What do you enjoy most about playing cricket?
The team aspect. I always preferred cricket to tennis for this reason.
What has been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Finding out I was going to debut for NSW in 2014 is very hard to go past.
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
I was part of a Sydney University team that chased 462 against Manly in the 2019/20 season. Our number 11 (Ben Joy) slog swept Steve O’Keefe for 6 in the final over of the day to win the game. It was a truly remarkable chase.
What are your hobbies?
I love reading. I am interested in economics.
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
Don’t confuse kindness with weakness.
What are your cricketing ambitions?
Play for Australia. Outside of that, keep winning competitions with the various teams I am involved with. There is nothing better in sport than when a season or more of hard work culminates in a trophy or title.
We thank Nick for taking the time and wish all the very best for the seasons ahead. Runs, runs and more runs
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